CrPC 217→BNSS 240

CrPC 217 to BNSS 240: Recall of witnesses when charge altered

Section 217 CrPC (1973) replaced by Section 240 BNSS (2023)

View CrPC Section 217 →View BNSS Section 240 →

CrPC 217 to BNSS 240 at a Glance

Section 217 CrPC (Recall of witnesses when charge altered) is now Section 240 BNSS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From CrPC 217 to BNSS 240?

Section 240 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has the same heading and the same text as Section 217 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Only the section number and the name of the Code differ.

CrPC 217 vs BNSS 240: Comparison Table

AspectCrPC 1973 (repealed)BNSS 2023 (in force)
Section217240
HeadingRecall of witnesses when charge alteredSame

CrPC 217 and BNSS 240: Bare Act Text Side by Side

CrPC 1973 (repealed)

Section 217, CrPC 1973

217. Recall of witnesses when charge altered.—Whenever a charge is altered or added to by the Court after the commencement of the trial, the prosecutor and the accused shall be allowed— (a) to recall or re-summon, and examine with reference to such alteration or addition, any witness who may have been examined, unless the Court, for reasons to be recorded in writing, considers that the prosecutor or the accused, as the case may be, desires to recall or re-examine such witness for the purpose of vexation or delay or for defeating the ends of justice; (b) also to call any further witness whom the Court may think to be material.
BNSS 2023 (in force)

Section 240, BNSS 2023

240. Recall of witnesses when charge altered.—Whenever a charge is altered or added to by the Court after the commencement of the trial, the prosecutor and the accused shall be allowed— (a) to recall or re-summon, and examine with reference to such alteration or addition, any witness who may have been examined, unless the Court, for reasons to be recorded in writing, considers that the prosecutor or the accused, as the case may be, desires to recall or re-examine such witness for the purpose of vexation or delay or for defeating the ends of justice; (b) also to call any further witness whom the Court may think to be material.

When It Applies: CrPC 217 vs BNSS 240

Under CrPC 217
  1. Section 217 CrPC applies whenever a charge is altered or added to by the Court after the commencement of the trial.
  2. The prosecutor and the accused shall be allowed to recall or re-summon, and examine with reference to the alteration or addition, any witness who may have been examined.
  3. The Court, for reasons to be recorded in writing, may consider that the prosecutor or the accused desires to recall or re-examine a witness for the purpose of vexation or delay or for defeating the ends of justice.
  4. The prosecutor and the accused shall also be allowed to call any further witness whom the Court may think to be material.
Under BNSS 240
  1. Section 240 BNSS applies whenever a charge is altered or added to by the Court after the commencement of the trial.
  2. The prosecutor and the accused shall be allowed to recall or re-summon, and examine with reference to the alteration or addition, any witness who may have been examined.
  3. The Court, for reasons to be recorded in writing, may consider that the prosecutor or the accused desires to recall or re-examine a witness for the purpose of vexation or delay or for defeating the ends of justice.
  4. The prosecutor and the accused shall also be allowed to call any further witness whom the Court may think to be material.

What CrPC 217 to BNSS 240 Means in Practice

From 1 July 2024, the provision in Section 217 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is found in Section 240 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, with the same heading and text.

FAQs: CrPC 217 to BNSS 240

Where is Section 217 CrPC found in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023?▼

Section 217 CrPC is found in Section 240 BNSS from 1 July 2024. Section 240 BNSS has the same heading and the same text.

Do the words of Section 217 CrPC differ from Section 240 BNSS?▼

Section 240 BNSS reads in the same words as Section 217 CrPC. Only the section number and the name of the Code differ.

What is the heading of Section 240 BNSS?▼

Section 240 BNSS has the heading Recall of witnesses when charge altered, the same heading as Section 217 CrPC.

Disclaimer: This comparison is for informational purposes only. The new criminal laws came into effect on 1 July 2024. Consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 · Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 26 Oct 2026 ·